Check-rein attachment



(No Model.)

M. 0. SULLIVAN.

CHECK REIN ATTAOHMBNT. No. 302,444. v Patented July 22,1884.

N PETER Phvwhflwgnphen Washington. D4 C.

UNITED STATES PATENT. UFFICE.

MICHAEL o. SULLIVAN, or innnrnnnnnon, KANSAS.

Cl-lECK-REIN ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION foi m ing part of Letters Patent No. 302,444, dated July 22, 1884.

Application filcd May .21, 1884; (No model.)

To 60 whom it may concern.-

I which the following is a specification, refer ence being had therein drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in overdraw check-reins for horses, and is designed to ease the horses mouth from sudden pulls or jerks. The roof of a horses mouth is very tender and susceptible to injury, and for this reason, when overdraw checks are used some means for easing the strain on the horses mouth should be provided. This is completely accomplished in the hereinafter described device, illustrated in the acconipanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the device, and Fig. 2 a detail section of a portion of the device.

A represents the ordinary iron-work resting on and secured to the harness-saddle. On this, in place of the usual check-rein hook, is

secured a cylindrical box, B, by means of a rod, 0, downwardly extending from the said box, passing through a hole in the top of the saddle-iron, and there secured by means of a nut, as shown. The box B has centrally through it a fixed rod, D, to which is secured one end of a flat metallic coiled spring, E, the other passing out of the box, nearjits bottom,

through the slot F therein. The outer end of i the spring is riveted in the divided endof a check-rein hook G, the upper or free end of which extends normally backward over the box. This arrangement of parts, extremely simple in construction and operation, allows the check-rein hook to .give according to the amount of force exerted on it by the horse, its spring causing it to retreat into the box when the said force is lessened or entirely taken from it.

The check-rein proper, designated by the letter H, is of usual construction, and is secured to the check-rein hook by thelink I, of leather or metal. The check rein is divided before reaching the horses ears, as is usual. Ordinarily the divided check is passed over to the accompanying.

the crown-piece of the bridle and guided by loops thereon. \Vhere there is no longitudinal motion of the check this arrangement works well; but in a rein constructed to give, as above described, the constant motion would be very detrimental to the harness, as is evident. To prevent such a result, on the crownpiece K, at about the points the check usually crosses, are placed the standards L. Each of cured to a thin base-plate and a cross top piece. Below the cross-piece are the rollers M, between which and the said cross-piece pass the straps ofthe divided check rein, as shown. Before the top piece and rollers are put in place in the standard, the uprights have slipped over them a leather finishing and securing strip, N, the said uprights passing through holes in the same. The bases are thus secured and covered from sight, the strip N being sewed to the crown-piece. It is evident that these friction-rollers and their standards form a very necessary adjunct to the successful operation of the spring check-rein. They not only reduce friction and prevent wear to the harness, but, by being somewhat elevated, they obviate all danger of the check chafing the horses neck. As the check-rein passes over the face of the horse, it is necessary for the two parts to be brought together and then separated on each side the nose to the bit.

In the spring check-reins it is necessary to tadjust the point of contact to suit different horses, so as to bring the pressure as much as the object of the said check being to relieve the animal from pain and injury. This connection is made by means of a rectangular piece or frame, 0, having a loop on its under side, on which are raised two lugs, P, which pass through holes in the check -rein straps,whic11 pass, side by side, under the frame and over the loop.

Having described the invention, what I claim is- 1. In a check-rein, the combination, with the said rein, of a check-hook secured to the free end of a metallic spring contained in and secured to a centrally-located fixed rod in a box fastened to the saddle-iron of a harness.

possible from the roof of the horses mouth,

these standards consists of two uprights se 2. In an overdraw cheek-rein, the combination, with the said rein, connected to a spring cheek -hook, of the adjustable connectingpiece, rectangular in form, and having a loop on which are raised two lugs, all arranged as and for the purpose specified.

, In an overdraw cheek-rein, the combination, with the said rein, of the cheek-hook connected to a flat, spiraLmetallie spring con tained in a box and secured to a central rod therein, the be): being secured to the saddleiron, the friction-bearings on the crown-piece l 1 i i of the bridle consisting of standards carrying friction-rollers, and the connecting-link, rectangular in form and having a loop on which are raised two lugs, all arranged to operate as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MICHAEL O. SULLIVAK \Vitnesses:

DIARY Sermon, FRED Serrnrn'r. 

